Amanda Holden and Alan Carr dive into a bold Greek makeover on the sun-soaked Ionian island of Corfu, where walls come down by day and plates crack with laughter by night. The duo’s eight-episode series, Amanda & Alan's Greek Job, runs at 8x30’, produced by Voltage TV for BBC and available on iPlayer and BBC One. Commissioning details include Catherine Catton as Head of Factual Entertainment, with Executive Producers Claire Walls, Sanjay Singhal, and Tom Cullum, and Ricky Cooper as Commissioning Editor. BBC Studios handles global distribution.
Watch the new series on iPlayer, with the first full episode airing on BBC One at 9:35 pm on Friday, January 2.
Interview excerpts with Amanda and Alan
How did Greece become the backdrop for this project, and why choose a Greek job?
Amanda: We’ve always loved Greece—it's a place I vacation in every year, and Alan and I have spent holidays there together. We joked about the idea of a show in Greece long before it became a reality—but we never expected it to actually happen.
Alan: It was wonderful, though the particular reno we tackled was one of the most challenging yet—and arguably not even a traditional house. It lacked interior stairs and windows, and there was even a blood-written message on the outside door.
Amanda: Yet the transformation was the standout moment. Even as our DIY skills improve, the initial state was shocking, and seeing the final result was mind-blowing.
Alan: The sense of achievement is huge. Leaving this project was especially hard, and I’m already curious about who’ll own it when the next chapter begins.
How did you experience Greek culture firsthand?
Alan: Among our renovations, Greece felt surprisingly familiar in its warmth—Greece and Britain share a love of family, humor, and celebrations. The locals’ friendliness and their infectious humor added a lot of joy to the process.
Amanda: They’re funny and easygoing, and their generosity made us feel instantly welcome. People would wave from their cars as we passed—our wedding-of-a-kind experience was genuinely special.
Alan: The team of builders also contributed a playful energy; the Greek spirit shone through in their hospitality and humor.
Amanda: And this project leaned heavily into greenery and scenery, resonating with connections to The Durrells era. I even rescued two cats and brought them home; I nearly convinced Alan to bring a donkey along too.
Alan: Amanda would start each morning feeding the hotel cats on the steps; she’d have loved to take them all home.
A playful moment: Amanda put Alan on a gay dating app, and he had to guess key details—an eye-opening experience about app profiles and preferences.
Were there restrictions on renovating the house?
Alan: There were guidelines—colors, heights, and other constraints—we couldn’t go wild with over-the-top designs. Stamatis, our Greek property developer, explained that new builds aren’t permitted where houses already stand. The goal is to safeguard the area and its environment, ensuring no resort-style overhauls.
Amanda: We respected local heritage, especially when dealing with Grade II or Grade I structures, recognizing the importance of preserving tradition. The house in question has classic Corfiot charm: unassuming, simple, yet undeniably beautiful with its white and blue shutters—enough to spark a playful aside about classic Greek tunes.
Does Amanda’s renowned design flair blend with Alan’s DIY approach this time?
Alan: My approach tends to be pragmatic—“we’ll make it work.” Amanda brings mood boards and a keen eye for atmosphere, often prompting questions like, “What about this wallpaper?” Even off-camera at the airport, she’s planning. While I enjoy the process, downtime is still essential for me. Still, I love the energy she brings.
Amanda: I prepared a mood-board for a quintessential Greek bathroom—rounded tub and all. Stamatis soon reminded us that some ideas are more imaginative than feasible. We’ll see what actually ends up installed.
Did you have a clear vision from the start, given the project’s scale?
Amanda: I love envisioning a building’s potential—knowing a wall can be removed, a window added, or a new layout created. That moment of seeing how it could become is my favorite part.
Alan: Amanda has the visual knack; I rely on her to realize ideas. I’ve grown more confident, but I stillValue the collaboration.
Amanda: You’ve improved, for sure. Alan’s DIY instincts have evolved throughout the series.
Executive Producer Claire Walls on the Greek Job
What sparked Amanda & Alan’s Greek Job idea?
Claire: We wanted a sun-soaked, visually distinct setting with a cultural flavor different from previous ventures. Corfu’s link to Gerald Durrell and the hosts’ love of animals made it an ideal choice.
How did you pick the property featured in the show?
Claire: We toured around twelve properties before choosing one with sea views and accessibility for renovation within a tight three-month window. Proximity to the water was a major factor.
What were the renovation’s toughest hurdles?
Claire: The sheer scope—replacing the roof and floors, accommodating Amanda’s round bathtub, and transforming a front garden that was basically a car park into a lush Mediterranean oasis.
How would you describe the series to first-time viewers?
Claire: Think of a warm, comforting bath of feel-good television. It blends aspirational renovations with travelogue moments and the vibrant friendship and humor of Amanda and Alan, offering both sun-drenched escapism and relatable behind-the-scenes conversations.
What sets Amanda & Alan’s Greek Job apart from other celebrity renovation and travel shows?
Claire: The combination of hands-on renovation and travel storytelling is distinctive here. Their genuine friendship, willingness to engage with local communities, and candid, personal moments create a unique, heartwarming viewing experience.
Follow-up notes
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